By Francis Chipalo
The United Federation of Employers in Zambia (UFEZ) has called for the repeal of the new Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) law which mandates verification of academic qualifications for all job applicants before hiring in both public and private sectors.
UFEZ president Humphrey Monde says his institution is alarmed by the recent introduction of the law by ZAQA
Monde says the law imposes undue financial burdens on employers, with verification fees ranging from K50 for basic qualification to K1,200 for foreign qualifications.
He observes that the costs will hit Small and Medium Enterprises the hardest, leading to higher business costs, reduced national competitiveness, stifled job creation and higher unemployment as well as increased bureaucracy that contradicts decentralization efforts.
Monde has since urged government and ZAQA to repeal the law immediately and ensure that future regulations are developed with proper stakeholder engagement, particularly the private sector.
He has told Lusaka radio news that the law comes at a time when the New Dawn government is working tirelessly to promote access to schools through its free education policy which eventually leads to greater employability.
“We do not expect laws that make hiring more costly and cumbersome and undermine this goal. The government must act swiftly to protect businesses, employment and the economy,” Monde added.
